Summer Visit With Family

So it's only taken me until nearly Halloween to catch up on blog posts from the summer. So excuse the out of ordered-ness of the following posts, but we had such a nice summer I don't want to leave anything out.

We loved having the Millers come this summer from Texas. We got to swim with them in their in-laws pool. 

Then one special evening we went to visit the temple grounds and visitor's center, and then headed to DC to see the monuments at night. 

After a beautiful evening walking around the temple, we then headed into the Nations capital...

This was one of our favorite parts of their visit, but we also took some family photos after church on Sunday. They weren't very formal but that's why I love them so much I think.

So here's to some of my most favorite people and another wonderful summer family visit.
 
 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

We're Gonna Bop We're Gonna Bowl!

Some of our favorite family traditions include family movie night on Fridays and family nights when we go out on adventures. This Friday called for adventure, so we took the family out for bowling and ice cream. You may say that's not adventurous, but when you have three kids venturing anywhere is really an adventure. But by all accounts this evening was fun and enjoyable. We've had a stressful week, so this was a much needed outing.

 Oh, and did I mention Alex won the game?! Yes, the two year old is the best bowler in the family. But to be fair, he had bumper lanes.😂😂😂

 

 
 

Fall 2016

It's beginning to look like fall around our house these days. And even if today the weather is spiking up to the 80's, my soul is seeking the cozy comfort of sweaters and soft blankets. I love Autumn, and for anyone who has known me less than a second, my favorite thing about each season is decorating my home accordingly. 

Nothing says welcome fall like a beautiful wreath and plenty of colorful mums, pumpkins, and lanterns greeting you by the front door.

And once inside, a little more fall foliage and some rustic ratan pumpkins.

Downstairs, the mantel in the basement is feeling a little festive with a berry garland and some mercury glass elements.
 
 

Upstairs, I tried to bring in more neutral Colors in my kitchen and living space.

And much to my husband's dismay, glitter pumpkins make the perfect addition to our hall.

Oranges pop against my blue wall in the den.

So even though other areas of my life are kinda falling apart at the seems, I'm happy with my home and all of the beauty fall brings.
 
 

 

 

 

 
 

Three Years and Counting

Can I just tell you how much I love my home? I love decorating it, living in it, making memories in it, and raising my beautiful family in it. Home really is my sanctuary, and it's exciting that we've been in our home for three years already (well, three years on August 17th). Sure there are things I don't love. I'd love more storage, bigger bedrooms, more of a yard. But really I can't complain. I'm so grateful to call this beautiful space home. We hope to be here another three to five years and then hopefully we can get into a single family home. We honestly might stay here forever if there was just one more bedroom, but the bedroom the girls share is already small and as they grow I think if we can it would be nice for them to have separate spaces. All in good time... For now, here are a few updated photos of our home, always a work in progress. I'd still love to paint our upstairs hall and all the bathrooms, but I'm sure I will always have a to do list because that's half the fun. 

The basement

The backyard

The front door

The back deck

The girls room

Alex's Room

Master Bedroom

So that's about it for the 2016 Home Tour. Having a home is lots of fun. Decorating it is one of my favorite (and most expensive) hobbies. But every day I'm grateful to call this beautiful place our very own.